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Sunday, 10 December 2017

The River Witch is a very enjoyable fantasy novel set in the
distant future. It is fast paced and an easy read but it was a bit slow to
start and find its story. It has adventure and a story full of mystery which I hope
we discover more about in future books. It has a hint of upcoming romance but
it could also develop into a good friendship and I am looking forward to
finding out.

Tabitha is naïve as she trusts everyone and wants a life
full of adventure and magic like the stories her mother told her. Lysander is
my favourite as he is conflicted and, unlike Tabitha, mysterious as we do not
know much about his past and what his real motives are. I also liked the water sprites
Ani, Corida and Bellat as they were childish, excitable and impulsive.

This book is the start of a 13-book series and I am looking
forward to reading them, especially the next book The Iron Court. I would recommend
The River Witch to those who like the sound of a fantasy novel set in the unique
setting of future Britain.

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Season of Wind is the second book in the Clockwork Gods Chronicles
and I really enjoyed it. It was very fast paced, and full of action and
deception. While I guessed the main plot twist it was still a fun light book
and I enjoyed reading about all of the characters.

Janet is determined to protect her friends and save Silvia
but also feels way over her head as she gets more involved in the Gods war. I
wish Itazura was in this book more as he was my favourite character from the
first book and the story seemed to be lacking something with him not in it.
However, the other gods made up for it was I really liked the bander and family
feeling between Laetatia, Meroquio, and Kova.

This is a very fun story and I am looking forward to reading
the next book in The Clockwork Gods Chronicles. I would recommend Season of
Wind to fans of the first book Hour of Mischief.

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Daughter of the Burning City is a really interesting and
unique fantasy book which really sucked me into its story. This book is built
on the mystery of who is killing Sorina’s family which has lots of twists and
while I guessed some, most really surprised me. This book is well written and
had very descriptive and good world building, especially considering most of
the book was set in Gomorrah. However, there was a plot hole in the book which
did make the story feel a bit to unrealistic but it is a very big spoiler so I will
not ruin it.

Sorina is determined but also has many insecurities as she
feels like she is a freak and that the only people who like her are the family
who she created. Luca is mysterious, sarcastic, but not in a mean way, and can
come across as a bit innocent despite really understanding how the world, and
more importantly people, works. He is very distinctive in many ways, from his
dress sense, to his powers, to his personality. I loved Sorina’s family as they
were their own people with their own wishes and fears, and after the first 20%
of the book I never got them confused with each other.

This a very good book from debut author Amanda Foody and I
am really looking forward to reading more of her books and any sequels to
Sorina’s story. I would recommend Daughter of the Burning City to fans of
unique fantasy books.

Monday, 27 November 2017

Flame in the Mist is an ok fantasy book but it did not hold
my interest and I found it forgettable. I didn’t like the romance as it really
came across as Stockholm Syndrome as she fell for someone she believes tried to
kill her and killed her friends, which is a massive turn off in romances for
me. The world building, especially the magic was not explained well at all and
even by the end of the story there were lots of unexplained parts.

With Mariko, I wish Ahdieh has shown not told us how smart,
resourceful, and observant she is, as I saw hardly any of them qualities in her
during this book. The rest of the characters I didn’t really care about them
apart from Kenshin, who I understood his motives and his loyalty towards his
family.

I was indifferent towards this book which is disappointing
as I was looking forward to it.

Thursday, 23 November 2017

Fireblood is the second book in the Frostblood saga and
while an enjoyable book I felt it was not as good as Frostblood. The story was
fast paced and well written but was also predictable and has all of the clichés
I would expect from middle book. I really was not a fan of the love triangle as
it was not needed and was only there to add drama when Kai and Ruby could have
just been good friends and the story would have been practically the same.

Ruby want to discover her potential and find a place she
belongs but it is annoying that she is the special snowflake and Chosen One
when her character isn’t that interesting. She has also learnt to think more
before she acts but still lacks emotional control. We do not see as much of
Arcus as I would have liked but he is still stubborn, protective and moody.
While I was not a fan of the love triangle, I really liked Kai as he was
charming, charismatic and flirty, and was not afraid to express his emotions
and vulnerable side.

I felt the ending was a bit rushed but I am still looking
forward to the next book Nightblood. I would recommend Fireblood to people who
enjoyed the first book Frostblood.

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Frostblood is an enjoyable YA fantasy book which is both
fast paced and romantic. It is a book of two halves which had a different tone
to them, however the story was full of clichés and predictable. While the world
building was good I would have liked other countries to be fleshed out a bit
more.

Ruby is short tempered and has a lack of emotional control
but is also kind and inquisitive. Arcus is moody and damaged both physically
and mentally but he is also loyal and protective. My favourite parts of the
book were the banter between Ruby and Arcus and how slow the romance was in
building.

I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the
sequel Fireblood. I would recommend Frostblood to fans of The Storm Siren
trilogy by Mary Weber and the Fairy Queen books by Amber Argyle.

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Another romp through the crazy life of Bounty Hunter and all-round
klutz, Stephanie Plumb. Her latest
adventure involves working undercover at an ice cream factory, finding dead
bodies, and being undecided between her two romantic partners, as usual. She is aided and abetted in this by her
friend and colleague, Lula, and her slightly dysfunctional family, especially
Grandma Mazur.

The plot is not very complicated, and the whole book is
very light and easy to read, and provides many a smile, so long as you don’t
take it too seriously. The humour is
quite slapstick in nature, and there is always the opportunity to smile and
marvel at the chaos that is Stephanie’s life.
The characters in this book are, as usual, larger than life, and not
always based in reality, but if you wanted realism, you would not choose to
read this series of books.

My favourite character, is, and always has been, Grandma
Mazur. I love the fact that she’s
reached the age and attitude where she doesn’t care about anything, is willing
to try everything, and is afraid of nothing.
She has buckets of self-confidence and I hope I am as feisty as she is
when I get older.

I enjoyed Turbo 23 and would recommend it to people who
have enjoyed other Janet Evanovitch novels, or those who like light
comedy/crime novels.